{"id":26000,"date":"2012-07-26T14:42:20","date_gmt":"2012-07-26T19:42:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/artofmanliness.com\/?p=26000"},"modified":"2026-01-07T14:49:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T20:49:10","slug":"navy-seal-knot-tying-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/skills\/tactical\/navy-seal-knot-tying-test\/","title":{"rendered":"Take the Navy SEAL Underwater Knot Tying Test"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Navy<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note: This post is based on a series that was written by the ITS Crew and originally ran on ITS Tactical.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Potential Navy SEALs face many challenges during BUD\/s (Basic Underwater Demolition\/Navy Seal Training) as they become schooled in swimming, diving, parachuting, and enduring grueling physical exercise. Another challenge every candidate must complete is the Underwater Knot Tying Test. During the first phase of BUD\/s, students are taught five knots–the Bowline, Square Knot, Becket\u2019s Bend, Clove Hitch, and Right Angle–which they\u2019re required to tie one at a time underwater, each on a single breath hold.<\/p>\n

How would you do on this test? Why not take it yourself and find out? Below, we provide instructions in both photograph and video form on how to tie the five required knots, and then set down the test conditions you’d experience at BUD\/s, along with a video demonstrating how the test is performed.<\/p>\n

Knot Tying Line<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Underwater<\/a><\/p>\n

All knots tied during the test are with the BUD\/s student\u2019s knot tying line that he\u2019ll have with him at all times during BUD\/s until completing the Underwater Knot Tying Test.<\/p>\n

The rope used at BUD\/s is just common nylon rope that usually measures 5\/16″ diameter and is around 20\u2033 in length.<\/p>\n

Students are encouraged to practice their knots whenever they can fit it in during their days at BUD\/s to prepare themselves for the test.<\/p>\n

Knot #1: Bowline \u00bb Loops<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Strength: 2<\/span>\/Secure: 2<\/span>\/Stability: 4<\/span>\/Difficulty: 3)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Please refer to this post<\/a> for a description of what these ratings mean.<\/h5>\n

Before we continue any further we\u2019d like to clear the air on how to properly pronounce bowline<\/em>. This knot comes from the need for attaching sails to the bow of a ship for stabilization, and is pronounced \u201cbow\u201d like a ship\u2019s bow, not \u201cbow\u201d like bow and arrow.<\/p>\n

The Bowline Knot was originally used for the purpose just mentioned, but has progressed to include a host of other uses today.<\/p>\n

Nowadays, you\u2019d most likely see a Bowline used for mooring a small boat to a pier or in rescue applications when a fixed loop is needed that won\u2019t close around a waist or foot.<\/p>\n

In rescue applications we highly suggest, due to the somewhat unstable nature of the Bowline, that a half hitch is added to the knot at the very end to further secure it.<\/p>\n

If the Bowline is not kept under load, it can easily come untied which is why we recommend the extra half hitch (we\u2019ll explain below).<\/p>\n

Uses:<\/strong><\/p>\n